Jehovah’s Witnesses Differences with other Religions: Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go to War
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go to war. Because Jehovah’s Witnesses obey the commandments of the Bible.
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go to war, because Jehovah’s Witnesses want to obey God
In God’s word, the Bible, we can read that God’s servants would not learn war anymore. Instead they would beat their swords into plowshares.
(Isaiah 2:4) He will render judgment among the nations And set matters straight respecting many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Nor will they learn war anymore.
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go to war, because they want to obey Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ showed, that his followers should not take up weapons of warfare. Jesus told the apostle Peter: “(Matthew 26:52) Then Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go to war, because they love one another and form an international brotherhood
Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to love one another (John 13:34, 35). This is what Jehovah’s Witnesses do.
(John 13:34, 35) I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”
Jesus Christ made clear, that by this love all will know, that they are Jesus disciples. With other words, true Christians need to love one another. This is one important difference between true Christians (true followers of Christ) and false Christians (false followers of Christ).
And in fact Jehovah’s Witnesses form an international brotherhood. And worldwide no Jehovah’s Witness would ever wage war against his brother or sister. Jehovah’s Witnesses proved this in the past. For example in the 2nd world war. When Jehovah’s Witnesses where the only religion, which refused to go to war. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany where severely persecuted in this time. But despite of the persecution remained neutral.
And today. See Here later, the example of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the war in Europe. And that this is different to what other religions do.
In the Bible we can read, that this is a very important difference between religions
(1 John 3:10-12) The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Whoever does not practice righteousness does not originate with God, nor does the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother. And for what reason did he slaughter him? Because his own works were wicked, but those of his brother were righteous.
Jesus Christ: his followers are no part of the world
Disciples of Jesus Christ must remain strictly neutral in political matters. Because Jesus Christ said, that his followers are no part of the world.
(John 17:16) They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.
If somebody wants to follow Jesus Christ, he must be no part of the world. Otherwise he would not be a follower of Jesus Christ.
This is in line with Jesus words in the Bible book of John: “(John 18:36) Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.””
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject war and military service like the earliest followers of Jesus
The Encyclopedia of Religion and War states: “The earliest followers of Jesus rejected war and military service,” recognizing those practices as “incompatible with the love ethic of Jesus and the injunction to love one’s enemies.”
German theologian Peter Meinhold said of those early disciples of Jesus: “Being a Christian and a soldier was considered irreconcilable.”
How does Jehovah God and Jesus Christ view War today?
How does God view War today? Can any war being fought on the earth can have God’s approval? No, because Jesus Christ clearly said: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
If you would love someone, would you kill him? Surely not.
Also Jesus Christ said: Matthew 5:44: “However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you”.
Learn more. Read on JW.org the article “Why don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses go to war?”.
And “God’s View of War Today”. Search for the articles title on JW.org.
Jehovah’s Witnesses remain politically neutral: also in Ukraine and Russia
Worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses remain politically neutral. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to take part in war. Also in the War in Europe between Russia and the Ukraine.
In the Video “2022 Governing Body Update #2” it was said: “Certainly, this is the time to keep on the watch continually. And to maintain our Christian neutrality”.
Read more in the article “Why Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain political neutrality?” Search for the Article title on JW.org.
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia and the Ukraine do not take part in war
In contrast to other religions in Russia or the Ukraine Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t take part in war. Because Jehovah’s Witnesses stick to the Bible-based beliefs.
Not one Jehovah’s Witness in Russia take part in the war in the Ukraine. And the more than 129,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses living in the Ukraine also imitate Jesus Christ. By remaining politically neutral (see the article “Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain political neutrality?” on JW.org). And by refusing to take part in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Some Witnesses of Jehovah are being persecuted. Because Jehovah’s Witnesses obey the commandments of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:12, John 15:19, 20). For example, Russia has thrown many Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia into prison. The Russian government even tortured some Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia. For more information, go to www.jw-russia.org.
Other religions are different. For example religions in Russia and Ukraine
Has prominent leaders of other religions in Russia and the Ukraine upheld Bible teachings not to go to war and to love people as yourself. Even your enemies? Did prominent leaders of other religions in Russia or the Ukraine encourage their members to go to war or not to go to war?
“Patriarch Kirill . . . has sent his strongest signal yet justifying his country’s invasion of Ukraine—describing the conflict as part of a struggle against sin.”—AP News, March 8, 2022.
“Ukrainian Orthodox Church leader, Metropolitan Epiphanius I of Kyiv, on Monday blessed his people to ‘fight against the Russian invaders’ . . . [He] also stated that killing Russian soldiers isn’t a sin.”—Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2022.
“We [the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO)] support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and all our defenders, we bless them in their defense of Ukraine from the aggressor, and offer our prayers for them.”—UCCRO * Statement, February 24, 2022.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are useful members to the society
And Jehovah’s Witnesses pose no threat to the security of any country where they live. Jehovah’s Witnesses respect governmental authority. This is in line with the commandments of the Bible:
(Romans 13:1) Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.
(Matthew 22:21) They said: “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them: “Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses pay taxes and obey laws of the government’s. And Jehovah’s Witness cooperate with the government’s efforts to provide for the public welfare.
Jehovah’s Witnesses respect the freedom of choice of other people
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t protest against military actions or interfere with those who choose to serve in the armed forces.
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